Nobody expected C.J. Spiller to lead the NFL in rushing heading into Week 3. Not Spiller. Not his head coach.

“I would like to tell you, 'Oh sure, I saw that,’ but it would be a lie,” Bills coach Chan Gailey told reporters after Sunday’s victory over the Chiefs. “I did not see it happening like this. I knew it was capable of happening, but I did not know it would.”

Things are finally coming together for Spiller, the No. 9 overall pick in 2010. Starting in place of the injured Fred Jackson, Spiller is averaging a ridiculous 10.1 yards per carry (29 carries, 292 yards).

Spiller always had blazing speed and game-breaking potential. But this season, Gailey has noticed a difference.

“Patience is a word I would use,” Gailey said. “He is not just seeing the first cut and saying I am going to take that 100 miles per hour.

"He tries to see everything and read everything. Then when he makes a good decision, he is exploding through the crease. The thing to me is that he is running with confidence, which means he runs stronger. He runs through arm tackles. I see that a lot more than earlier in his career."

The Bills could face a dilemma when Jackson returns from a knee injury, deciding how to divvy up touches. But in the meantime Spiller is the man, silencing critics that labeled him overrated.

“It all starts with preparation," Spiller said. “I do the same thing every week. I read hard and run hard at practice. It really is just translating it on Sundays.”

Here are two other breakout players and two coaches who are quieting critics and enjoying 2012 far more than 2011:

The Eagles’ defense took plenty of bashing last season, and for good reason. It lost late leads. It gave up big plays. It yielded too many yards on the ground.

Much of the blame was pointed at Castillo, who was fortunate to be given another chance by coach Andy Reid. Now Castillo deserves some credit. The Eagles are 2-0 heading into Sunday’s game at Arizona, and their defense has made pivotal plays during one-point victories over the Browns and Ravens.

Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha believes the defense is simply more confident. “I just think there’s more belief,” Asomugha said. “I think when you’re around each other for a while, you start to believe in each other a little bit more, so I think that’s what’s happened. You start to play better and more as a team. You still have mistakes, but those are cut down so much more than they were last year.”

In third-down situations, Crabtree has become a go-to guy for quarterback Alex Smith, making tough grabs in traffic and running with authority after catches.

Now in his fourth season, Crabtree has raised his game significantly. His numbers last season were decent (72 catches, 874 yards), but Crabtree was shut down in the NFC championship game loss to the Giants (one catch, 3 yards). It must have gotten Crabtree’s attention when the 49ers signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham during the offseason. He had his best training camp and preseason, and he is healthy and focused.

Now the 49ers’ 2009 first-round pick leads the team in catches (13) and yards (143). The 49ers don’t throw it as much as most teams. But when they do, Crabtree is a bigger part of the mix.

McCoy’s biggest problem has been staying healthy, but he is off to his best start ever. He had a sack against Cam Newton in the Buccaneers’ opener, and the Bucs have the third-ranked rushing defense in the NFL.

As the third overall pick in the 2010 draft, McCoy was expected to make an immediate impact like Ndamukong Suh, the defensive tackle drafted just ahead of McCoy by the Lions. Largely because of injuries, McCoy has been slower to make his presence felt. But that could be about to change.

Yes it’s early, but the heat is off Turner temporarily. Many thought he would be fired after the Chargers missed the playoffs last season for the second consecutive year. However, both Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were given a reprieve.

No, the Chargers have not played any NFL heavyweights yet, defeating the Raiders and the Titans. But starting 2-0 is never a bad thing, and we will find out more about the Chargers on Sunday when they host the Falcons.

“We need to keep getting better,” Turner said. “We’re playing an outstanding football team in Atlanta. I feel like we’re becoming a better team.’’